PKL Season 12 Match 75 Preview: Gujarat Giants vs Dabang Delhi – Showstopper Shadloui Faces Agent Ashu Malik

Two teams with contrasting fortunes clash in Match 75 of PKL 12 as resurgent Gujarat Giants host table-topping Dabang Delhi. Rakesh's captaincy renaissance faces Agent Ashu Malik's playoff-clinching mission, whilst Showstopper Shadloui's historical dominance meets Sultan Fazel Atrachali's defensive excellence in a battle of contrasting philosophies.

Probable Starting 7

Gujarat Giants

• Right Corner – Lucky Sharma
• Right In – Harish K
• Right Cover – Nitin Panwar
• Centre – Rakesh (C)
• Left Cover – Rohit Nandal
• Left In – Ankit Dahiya
• Left Corner – Mohammadreza Shadloui

Dabang Delhi

• Right Corner – Saurabh Nandal
• Right In – Ajinkya Pawar
• Right Cover – Surjeet Singh
• Centre – Naveen
• Left Cover – Sandeep
• Left In – Neeraj Narwal
• Left Corner – Fazel Atrachali (C)

Headlines

➢ Showstopper Shadloui faces Agent Ashu Malik

➢ Dabang Delhi can qualify for the playoffs with a win

➢ Rakesh captaining Giants to 3 wins in last 4 matches

➢ Rakesh leading the raid department – 38 points in last 2 matches

➢ Fazel leads the defence with support from Saurabh and Surjeet

➢ Absence of Ashu Malik was felt by Delhi, but other raiders perform

Top Stories of the Match

Showstopper Shadloui Faces Agent Ashu Malik

Dabang Delhi have maintained exceptional raiding form throughout the season courtesy of Captain Ashu Malik, who has accumulated approximately 51% of their total raid points – demonstrating their reliance on his individual brilliance.

Dabang Delhi raiding unit in PKL 12:

• 13 matches, 286 raid points (22.0 average, 54% SR)

Ashu performs excellently in both halves, though demonstrates superior efficiency in the first half whilst controlling the game with calculated empty raids during the second half – showcasing tactical maturity beyond mere point accumulation.

Ashu Malik in PKL 12 – Half-wise:

• 1st half: 83 raid points at 66% SR (126 raids)
• 2nd half: 63 raid points at 57% SR (111 raids)

Ashu possesses the third-best average raid points amongst all raiders in PKL 12, establishing himself amongst the league's elite whilst maintaining remarkable consistency throughout the campaign.

Best average raid points in PKL 12:

• Devank: 17.5 average (74% SR)
• Ayan: 12.3 average (70% SR)
• Ashu Malik: 12.2 average (62% SR)

Ashu Malik has already excelled in Do-or-Die situations, accumulating the most raid points in these pressure moments alongside Aditya Shinde and Bharat – showcasing extraordinary clutch mentality.

Most Do-or-Die raid points in PKL 12:

• Aditya Shinde: 21 points at 81% SR (11 matches)
• Ashu Malik: 21 points at 100% SR (12 matches)
• Bharat: 21 points at 72% SR (12 matches)

His perfect 100% success rate in Do-or-Die situations represents the league's most impressive clutch statistic, demonstrating ability to deliver when matches hang in the balance.

He has performed excellently against Gujarat Giants throughout his career, averaging 9 points per match at exceptional 64% success rate with 6 Super 10s – establishing psychological dominance over this opponent.

Ashu vs Gujarat Giants in PKL overall:

• 9 matches, 83 raid points (9.2 average, 64% SR, 6 Super 10s)

The contest between Agent Ashu and Showstopper Shadloui represents one of PKL's most entertaining rivalries, with Ashu holding clear advantage in their head-to-head encounters throughout their careers.

Head-to-head in PKL:

• Ashu Malik 13–8 Shadloui

Shadloui endures his worst-ever season start in terms of point accumulation – managing just 21 raid points and 20 tackle points through 12 matches, representing unprecedented struggles for the Iranian legend.

Shadloui in PKL 12:

• 12 matches: 21 raid points, 20 tackle points

However, he has performed excellently against Dabang Delhi in recent seasons, averaging 4 points per match at exceptional 66% tackle success rate – providing hope for defensive revival.

Shadloui vs Dabang Delhi in PKL overall:

• 10 matches, 42 tackle points (4.2 average, 66% SR)

Dabang Delhi Can Qualify for the Playoffs with a Win

Dabang Delhi stand on the cusp of playoff qualification, requiring just one victory against Gujarat Giants to secure their place in the knockout stages and continue their championship pursuit.

They previously defeated Gujarat Giants in M#28 with an exceptional performance from Ashu Malik (14 raid points), demonstrating their tactical superiority whilst seeking to complete the double over their opponents.

Delhi have won 11 of 13 matches in PKL 12, establishing themselves as the league's most consistent team despite suffering two narrow defeats that tested their championship credentials.

Many encounters have been extremely close affairs, though Delhi have demonstrated grit and determination by winning most through nerveless finishing whilst scoring crucial points at death.

In their last match against Bengal Warriorz, another neck-and-neck battle persisted until the final raid, demonstrating the fine margins defining their season's narrative.

Close encounters of Dabang Delhi in PKL 12:

• vs Pune (M#14): Golden raid – Won
• vs Jaipur (M#20): Last raid – Won
• vs Titans (M#37): 3rd last raid or last 90 seconds – Won
• vs Pirates (M#43): Last raid – Lost
• vs Steelers (M#54): Last raid – Won
• vs Jaipur (M#67): 2nd last raid or last 30 seconds – Won
• vs Steelers (M#70): Tie-breaker – Won
• vs Warriorz (M#73): Last raid – Lost

Delhi possess the most wins amongst all teams this season (11 wins), with Puneri Paltan next best with 10 wins – establishing clear dominance whilst maintaining pressure on championship rivals.

They accumulated six consecutive victories before suffering their first defeat against Patna Pirates, then assembled five consecutive wins before their second defeat against Bengal Warriorz – demonstrating resilience after setbacks.

In the close encounter against Bengal Warriorz, Delhi clearly missed their captain Ashu Malik, losing by just 1 point in the final raid whilst struggling to find consistent scoring without their talisman.

Coach Joginder Narwal possesses an excellent record leading Dabang Delhi – guiding them to playoffs in PKL 11 and standing on the verge of achieving the same feat in PKL 12.

Joginder Narwal as coach in PKL:

• 36 matches, 24 wins, 8 losses (67% win percentage, 1 playoff qualification)

In PKL 12 specifically, his record demonstrates exceptional consistency – 85% win percentage with just two losses, establishing him amongst the league's elite tactical minds.

Team Stories

Gujarat Giants – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

• M#74 vs UP Yoddhas – Won 41–39 (dramatic 2-point thriller)
• M#64 vs Bengal Warriorz – Won 47–40 (impressive 7-point victory)
• M#60 vs U Mumba – Lost 25–40 (disappointing 15-point thrashing)
• M#53 vs UP Yoddhas – Won 33–27 (solid 6-point triumph)
• M#47 vs Telugu Titans – Lost 29–30 (heartbreaking 1-point defeat)

Gujarat Giants have discovered decent form recently, winning 3 of their last 4 matches after enduring catastrophic start to the season that threatened playoff elimination.

They defeated UP Yoddhas by 2 points in their last encounter thanks primarily to Rakesh, who accumulated 20 raid points single-handedly whilst demonstrating the form elevating him to captaincy.

Gujarat Giants occupy 9th place with just 4 wins this season, desperately needing to assemble winning streak to harbour realistic playoff qualification hopes during the crucial final phase.

Gujarat Giants Turning It Around Under Rakesh's Captaincy

Gujarat Giants' raiding performance has been catastrophically poor this season, struggling to make any significant impact whilst anchoring the league's basement across all attacking metrics.

They possess the lowest average raid points per match and lowest raid success rate in PKL 12 – unprecedented struggles for any team harbouring playoff ambitions.

Lowest average raid points in PKL 12:

• Gujarat Giants: 18.2 average (42% SR, 12 matches)
• Bengaluru Bulls: 18.7 average (45% SR, 12 matches)
• U Mumba: 19.8 average (46% SR, 12 matches)

However, they delivered two amazing back-to-back performances against Bengal Warriorz and UP Yoddhas, scoring 26 raid points in each encounter – their highest tallies in any matches this season.

Gujarat Giants raiding vs UP Yoddhas in M#74:

• 44 raids, 26 raid points at 59% SR

Gujarat Giants raiding vs Bengal Warriorz in M#64:

• 43 raids, 26 raid points at 60% SR

This impressive output arrived largely thanks to Rakesh, who secured back-to-back excellent Super 10s – scoring 18 raid points against Bengal Warriorz and 20 raid points against UP Yoddhas.

Rakesh vs UP Yoddhas in M#74:

• 25 raids, 20 raid points at 80% SR

Rakesh vs Bengal Warriorz in M#64:

• 25 raids, 18 raid points at 72% SR

Rakesh remains the only raider who has secured a Super 10 for Gujarat Giants this season – possessing four such performances demonstrating his importance to their attacking fortunes.

However, even his statistics reveal concerning patterns – maintaining success rate just above 50%. He has captained his side to 3 wins in the last 4 matches, performing exceptionally well as raider in 2 of those 4 encounters.

Rakesh in PKL 12:

• 12 matches, 100 raid points (8.3 average, 52% SR, 4 Super 10s)

Ankit Dahiya, recently introduced into the line-up, has added amazing value to the team through scoring points in both raiding and defending – providing rare all-round contributions.

Ankit Dahiya performance match-by-match in PKL 12:

• vs UP Yoddhas M#74: 1 raid point, 3 tackle points (4 total)
• vs Bengal Warriorz M#64: 5 raid points, 4 tackle points (9 total)
• vs U Mumba M#60: 4 raid points, 1 tackle point (5 total)
• vs UP Yoddhas M#53: 2 raid points, 6 tackle points (8 total)
• vs Telugu Titans M#47: 2 raid points, 1 tackle point (3 total)

Support raiders have provided woefully inadequate backup, with none averaging above 5 raid points per match whilst most maintain success rates below 50% – creating complete dependence on Rakesh's individual brilliance.

Only Shadloui possesses decent numbers amongst support options, though others have been used sparingly without significant impact on match outcomes.

Gujarat Giants support raiders in PKL 12:

• Shadloui: 21 raid points (1.8 average, 42% SR, 12 matches)
• Himanshu Singh: 18 raid points (2.0 average, 31% SR, 9 matches)
• Parteek Dahiya: 14 raid points (3.5 average, 39% SR, 4 matches)
• Ankit Dahiya: 14 raid points (2.8 average, 44% SR, 5 matches)
• Aryavardhan Navale: 13 raid points (2.2 average, 37% SR, 6 matches)

Gujarat Giants' defence has proven superior to their raiding, contributing heavily towards their victories whilst maintaining the third-best tackle success rate in the league this season.

Best tackle SR% in PKL 12:

• Dabang Delhi: 47% SR
• Puneri Paltan: 46% SR
• Gujarat Giants: 45% SR

Dramatic splits between wins and losses demonstrate defensive importance – when the defence delivers 13+ tackle points, Gujarat remains competitive; when falling below, defeats inevitably follow.

Gujarat Giants defence in PKL 12:

• Wins (4 matches): 13.2 average tackle points at 48% SR (110 tackles, 53 points)
• Losses (8 matches): 8.9 average tackle points at 42% SR (168 tackles, 71 points)

Dabang Delhi – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

• M#73 vs Bengal Warriorz – Lost 36–37 (heartbreaking 1-point defeat)
• M#70 vs Haryana Steelers – Won 33–33 (9-3 tie-breaker triumph)
• M#67 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 29–26 (3-point victory)
• M#61 vs UP Yoddhas – Won 43–26 (dominant 17-point demolition)
• M#54 vs Haryana Steelers – Won 38–37 (dramatic 1-point thriller)

Dabang Delhi suffered their second match defeat of the season against Bengal Warriorz, though remain atop the table in PKL 12 with 11 wins in 13 matches – maintaining championship credentials.

Captain Ashu Malik has been the team's backbone, consistently securing Super 10s whilst providing the attacking foundation for Delhi's championship challenge throughout the campaign.

Neeraj Narwal has proven an excellent support raider, contributing crucial points in recent matches whilst preventing opponents from focusing exclusively on Ashu's attacking threat.

Fazel Atrachali's defensive leadership demonstrates he remains at his peak – ranking amongst the league's best defenders this season despite his veteran status.

Delhi's Defence Is Performing Well Under Sultan Fazel Atrachali

One of Dabang Delhi's biggest strengths this season has been their defensive unit, establishing them as the league's most efficient tackling team through collective excellence.

Dabang Delhi defensive unit in PKL 12:

• 13 matches, 142 tackle points (10.9 average, 47% SR)

They possess the best tackle success rate in the entire league amongst all teams in PKL 12 – a remarkable achievement showcasing their tactical discipline and individual quality.

Best tackle SR% in PKL 12:

• Dabang Delhi: 47% SR
• Puneri Paltan: 46% SR
• Gujarat Giants: 45% SR

Fazel Atrachali has maintained amazing form for the Dabang Delhi unit, leading the defence expertly whilst demonstrating the form that has defined his illustrious career.

He possesses the third-most tackle points in PKL 12 after Nitesh Kumar and Jaideep, establishing himself amongst the league's elite defenders through consistent excellence.

Fazel Atrachali in PKL 12:

• 13 matches, 41 tackle points (3.2 average, 59% SR, 3 High 5s)

Saurabh Nandal and Surjeet complete the defensive line-up. Saurabh has been excellent throughout the season, whilst Surjeet requires improvement to match his partner's consistency.

Dabang Delhi defenders in PKL 12:

• Saurabh Nandal: 36 tackle points (2.8 average, 63% SR, 13 matches)
• Surjeet Singh: 23 tackle points (1.8 average, 34% SR, 13 matches)

Fazel possesses a good record against Gujarat Giants, averaging more than 2 points against this opponent at solid 50% success rate with 1 High 5 throughout his career.

Fazel Atrachali vs Gujarat Giants in PKL:

• 12 matches, 29 tackle points (2.4 average, 50% SR, 1 High 5)

Absence of Ashu Malik Was Felt by Delhi, but Other Raiders Perform

In Ashu Malik's absence during the last match against Bengal Warriorz, other raiders stepped up despite Delhi ultimately losing the encounter by a solitary point.

Delhi tested their bench strength and support raiders against a weak Bengal defence, though victory remained elusive without their talismanic captain's presence and consistent scoring threat.

Ashu's absence proved decisive as no raider could secure a Super 10 or maintain continuous effectiveness throughout the match – highlighting their dependence on his individual brilliance.

However, Akshit, Naveen, and Mohit demonstrated promise with their raids, suggesting potential depth if required during crucial playoff encounters ahead.

Dabang Delhi raiders in M#73 vs Bengal Warriorz:

• Neeraj Narwal: 6 raid points at 40% SR (15 raids)
• Ajinkya Pawar: 5 raid points at 38% SR (13 raids)
• Akshit: 3 raid points at 100% SR (3 raids)
• Naveen: 4 raid points at 100% SR (4 raids)
• Mohit: 4 raid points at 133% SR (3 raids)

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 17 | Dabang Delhi – 8 | Gujarat Giants – 6 | Tied – 3

The historical record slightly favours Dabang Delhi, though Gujarat Giants have provided competitive resistance throughout their encounters. Delhi won by 10 points in M#28 when both teams met this season, seeking to complete the double.

Since PKL 8, Gujarat Giants have won just once against Dabang Delhi – demonstrating Delhi's recent dominance whilst establishing clear psychological advantage heading into this crucial encounter.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

• M#28 PKL 12: Dabang Delhi won 38–28 (10-point victory)
• M#129 PKL 11: Dabang Delhi won 45–31 (14-point dominance)
• M#65 PKL 11: Match tied 39–39
• M#76 PKL 10: Gujarat Giants won 31–26 (5-point triumph)
• M#53 PKL 10: Dabang Delhi won 35–28 (7-point success)

Key Player Battles

Gujarat Giants' Raiders vs Dabang Delhi's Defenders

• Rakesh 6–2 Fazel Atrachali
• Rakesh 8–2 Surjeet Singh
• Rakesh 3–11 Saurabh Nandal

Dabang Delhi's Raiders vs Gujarat Giants' Defenders

• Ashu Malik 13–8 Shadloui
• Ashu Malik 3–0 Nitin Panwar
• Ajinkya Pawar 6–9 Shadloui (closely matched)

What to Expect

This encounter promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between contrasting philosophies. Gujarat Giants' resurgent form under Rakesh's captaincy meets Dabang Delhi's playoff-clinching mission in a match defining both teams' campaigns.

The key battles – Rakesh's recent excellence versus Saurabh Nandal's historical dominance and Shadloui's potential revival against Ashu Malik's championship charge – will likely determine the outcome.

Expect Delhi to control proceedings given their superior team balance and championship mentality. However, Rakesh's back-to-back Super 10s – accumulating 38 raid points in last 2 matches – ensures Gujarat remains dangerous if their captain maintains exceptional form.

Ashu Malik's return after missing the Bengal Warriorz defeat provides Delhi with crucial attacking firepower, though Gujarat's defence – third-best tackle success rate in the league – suggests they can contain even elite raiders on favourable days.

The historical record slightly favouring Delhi (8-6-3), combined with their current form and playoff motivation, suggests another comprehensive victory. However, Gujarat's recent winning streak under Rakesh's captaincy – 3 wins in last 4 matches – demonstrates they cannot be underestimated.

Shadloui's historical excellence against Delhi (4.2 average tackle points at 66% SR) faces Ashu's dominance over Gujarat (9.2 average raid points at 64% SR), creating mouth-watering individual battle potentially swinging the contest decisively.

The team executing their game plan more consistently whilst minimising errors will emerge victorious, with Delhi's balanced excellence likely overwhelming Gujarat's one-man attacking threat despite their recent resurgence.

Match Details

• Match: Gujarat Giants vs Dabang Delhi – Match 75, PKL Season 12
• Date: Friday, 10th October 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium, Chennai
• LIVE Streaming: Watch LIVE on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar. For LIVE scores and updates, visit prokabaddi.com or download the Pro Kabaddi Official App.

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